“The only thing I’m not happy about,” says octogenarian Frans Cassar from his shared room overlooking Fort St Angelo, “is that my yacht never sails past here.”

The Church is now forced to play a balancing act between raising fees and keeping homes affordable

Mr Cassar is, of course, joking. The 32 residents at the Church-run St Anne’s Home for the elderly in Senglea have lost their sea legs and nowadays spend their days watching television, chatting and in Mr Cassar’s case, playing Sudoku.

But plans to bring in four more residents by refurbishing an additional miniature wing to the home have been shelved due to a lack of funds, home administrator Paul Portelli told reporters yesterday.

“Our income from residents’ fees only covers the staff wage bill,” Mr Portelli said. “All other day-to-day expenses are covered by an annual subsidy given to us by the Curia.”

The Curia subsidises St Anne’s to the tune of approximately €50,000 every year. The proposed expansion is expected to cost an additional €32,000.

The home employs a staff of 16 people, with nurses available around the clock. Residents pay an average of €600 every month, although the 10 people on the home’s waiting list will pay a monthly fee closer to €800 when they eventually get a bed.

“This place is a godsend,” said a Valletta-born resident. “I moved here around a year ago, after my home was burgled and living alone became too frightening.”

Her friend agreed. “It’s a good home. The chapel downstairs is my favourite spot, and the views are beautiful.”

Curia financial controller Robert Agius said the problems faced by St Anne’s were symptomatic of difficulties at all the Church’s five elderly homes across Malta.

“Many of the buildings are old and lack modern facilities, and the Church cannot sell or convert them.”

Doing so, Mr Agius explained, would go against the bequeathing terms under which the Church obtained the buildings. The lack of men and women joining holy orders has pushed wage bills up significantly and the Church was now forced to “play a balancing act between raising fees and keeping homes affordable”, Mr Agius said.

Furthermore, Church coffers are drying up, with its latest financial report declaring losses of €1.75 million in 2010.

Meanwhile, one of the residents waits for one of her two sons to pay her a visit. “I’m much too shy a person,” she admits, “but I’m glad you’ve come to say hello. I found it hard to adapt at first but now I’m happy here.”